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The City Government of San Fernando, La Union, through City Mayor Alf Ortega, met with the delegation from the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office I (DOST-ROI) and the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) to boost the City’s efforts towards realizing the City’s vision to be a Smart City by 2025.

The delegation, headed by DOST-ROI Director Dr. Armando Ganal and DMMMSU Vice President for Research and Extension Dr. Cynthia Rodriquez, briefed the Mayor on their ‘Smarter Philippines through Data Analytics R&D’ (SPARTA) and ‘Good Governance through Data Science and Decision Support System’ (GODDESS) programs.

Also present at the meeting were DOST ROI Assistant Regional Director for Field Operations Dr. Ismael Gurtiza, DMMMSU Director for Research University Prof. Keneth Bayani, ICT Department faculty personnel and other key staff members.

SPARTA is a nationwide training initiative for learners in data science, analytics, and related fields. GODDESS, on the other hand, is the implementation program for projects proposed by SPARTA scholars in collaboration with Local Government Units (LGUs) and National Government Agencies (NGAs).

Under the GODDESS program, the DOST ROI is offering to provide a P1,000,000.00 grant to the City Government for the development of an application or system that will qualify to the standards of the program. Among proposed projects discussed were the Smart Mobility – Traffic Management system and an Online Disaster Resiliency application.

The City Government shall select candidates among its qualified personnel to join the SPARTA scholarship program to collaborate with DMMMSU-MLUC SPARTA scholars in the development of the proposed system or application.

Mayor Alf extended his appreciation and commitment to providing a selection of priority systems to the DOST and DMMMSU for their consideration and approval. The City Government is looking forward to more convergence programs with DOST and DMMMSU in the future, as partners in transforming San Fernando into a Smart City by 2025.
These convergence programs are clear manifestations of the support being given by the City’s major stakeholders to achieve the Smart City Vision. Truly, our #SanFernandoAyayatenKa spirit shall move us forward to a bright future.

(Photos by Clifford Mercado)

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